Gretna marriages

[GeoffE]

An ancestor of mine (Jonathan DENWOOD) married at Gretna, not once but twice 

The first time was in 1853 - I have a copy of the register for that marriage.  I was disappointed to find no parents' names. 

His first wife died in 1864 and JD married again, probably by 1868 ... so my question is - would a Gretna marriage in the mid 1860s be expected to give any details of parents?

I was wondering if anyone would have any idea as I would rather not shell out another fifteen quid just on the off chance.

[littleprince]

Hi

A marriage in Scotland in the 1860`s should show bride and grooms parents names but I have checked Scotlands people for a marriage for  Jonathan Denwood and cannot find a marriage in Gretna for the years that you suggest, I will try again later using other spellings and years and even places.

Gilly

[GeoffE]

Hi

A marriage in Scotland in the 1860`s should show bride and grooms parents names but I have checked Scotlands people for a marriage for  Jonathan Denwood and cannot find a marriage in Gretna for the years that you suggest, I will try again later using other spellings and years and even places.

Gilly

Hi Gilly, thanks for that.  I wasn't sure if Gretna marriages were on SP or not.

His name shows up twice here http://www.achievements.co.uk/services/gretna/index.php

In 1861 he was married to Jane and in 1871 (apparently) married to Isabella.  He committed suicide in 1891, so it must have been before then.

EDIT:  SP has no Isabella TURNER/TONER at Gretna ... could it be that the "irregular" marriages are not held in the official list?

[Boongie Pam]

It depends.

Have a look at this thread.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,147712.msg674878.html#msg674878

If it was over the anvil then there may not be a record.  Not in the era you are concerned by.  f it was in the parish church then it would have been treated as a regular marriage.

Pam
 

[Gadget]

Checked for a marriage the other day, when Geoff first asked  - nothing on SP - twas 'over the anvil' me thinks.


Gadget

[GeoffE]

- twas 'over the anvil' me thinks.

Hi Gadget

Yes, certainly over something or other - his first marriage was performed by Simon LANG who was a weaver.

I found this somewhere-

Simon Lang - Gretna Green Anvil Priest 1827 - 1872

Lang was born in Springfield, and after the death of his father, David, in 1827, he became the only anvil priest of importance who was actually born in the village.

Simon Lang was described as "a kind of happy medium, neither tall nor short, in face somewhat spare, and not much otherwise in limb". He had a keen sense of humour and had a good reputation for integrity.

Like other priests of the time he felt the substantial drop of marriages around the year 1837, and turned to weaving and smuggling to support his household budget. He managed to remain in the "priesthood" till the last; and he died in 1872.

[Gadget]

Hi Geoff 

Did Jonathan and Isabella remain in Scotland or did they go over the border?  I'm think of any children who might have been born in Scotland to them. If there were any, they would most likely have been registered and a date of marriage for the parents was shown on  birth certs after 1860 (I think).

I don't think that there was any requirement to prove the marriage date but it would be a start.

Have you also considered the chances of a common law marriage?

Gadget

[GeoffE]

Hi Geoff 

Did Jonathan and Isabella remain in Scotland or did they go over the border?  I'm thinking of any children who might have been born in Scotland to them. If there were any, they would most likely have been registered and a date of marriage for the parents was shown on  birth certs after 1860 (I think).

I don't think that there was any requirement to prove the marriage date but it would be a start.

Have you also considered the chances of a common law marriage?

Gadget

Hi Gadget

Jonathans trips to Gretna were purely for matrimonial purposes - he was born, lived and died in Wigton, Cumberland where all his kids were born.

He shows up here (twice) http://www.achievements.co.uk/services/gretna/index.php

I have the copy of the register for his first marriage which (apart from the date) didn't add to my knowledge of anything.

His inquest has been transcribed here http://tinyurl.com/6objrw

[Gadget]

Not a nice way to go